Mould and damp a problem for majority of students

More than half of students living in the private rented sector (PRS) are living with mould or damp, according to a new study.

The research by SOS UK and Universities UK reveals 57% of students have experienced condensation in their current accommodation.

And nearly half (49%), also said their accommodation is poorly insulated and draughty.

‘These results are sadly not a huge surprise’

A massive 70% of students say they limit the length of time they have their heating on to save money on energy bills. A further 12% said they have been unable to pay their energy bills at the final reminder.

Over half of students (59%) said they have felt uncomfortably cold in their current accommodation. Of these, 48% said feeling uncomfortably cold makes them feel anxious or depressed.

Tom Allingham, the head of communications at Save the Student, said: “While concerning, these results are sadly not a huge surprise.

“Our recent National Student Accommodation Survey 2023 found that 95% of students with bills worry about the rising cost, with 64% saying they struggle with the cost either some or all of the time.”

He added: “Faced with sky-high energy costs, and little to no support to help cover them, students have had no choice but to keep the heating off and leave their homes at risk of developing damp and mould.

“The government must accept responsibility for this and factor students into all current and future energy bill support.”

‘Negative impact on students education’

A Universities UK spokesperson said: “The latest findings from the Homes fit for study survey are concerning. Students are struggling to deal with rising costs, fuel poverty and are living in poorly maintained privately rented accommodation, all of which is having a negative impact on their education.

“Landlords and government need to work together to protect future generations of students from fuel poverty, as well as accelerating the UK towards net zero.  Landlords should prioritise insulating and upgrading their properties, and government needs to support this work.”

Affordability contributed to their choice of accommodation

However, 61% of students in the PRS said they were satisfied with their current accommodation.

Over half (53%) of students say they chose to live in private rented sector accommodation due to it being convenient to get to their place of study.

A further 47% said affordability contributed to their choice of accommodation.